As family members, human rights activists, pro-democracy groups, friends, and professional colleagues gather today to mark the 20th anniversary of the passing of seasoned activist and co-founder of the Campaign for Democracy (CD), Dr Bekolori Ransome-Kuti, a veteran security reporter, Mr Folorusho Atta, who is also a security analyst, has shared a fascinating and highly entertaining encounter he had with Dr Ransome-Kuti, Dele Giwa, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), and Oba Funsho Adeolu.
securitynewsalert.com heard that the incident occurred three days before Babangida, popularly known as IBB, toppled General Muhammadu Buhari’s government in 1985.
Atta reminisced: “Before I turned 20, I was their whiz kid or golden boy. In the mid-1980s, I was a junior friend to notable Nigerians such as MKO Abiola, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, General Sani Abacha, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and his younger brother, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, Dele Giwa, Kehinde Odusote, King Sunny Ade, General Omotehinwa, Alao Aka-Bashorun, Fola Akinrisola, Ray Ekpu, Dr Doyin Abiola, Senator John Wash Pam, Prince Ado Ibrahim, Prince Tony Momoh, Oluwole Awolowo, and many others.
“But my closest friend among them was Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, the immediate younger brother of the legendary Fela.
“Beko rebuked me on several occasions for referring to him as ‘Doctor’ or ‘Baba Nike.’ He always warned me to call him simply Beko. Despite this, he remained my best friend. He was firm, savvy, hilarious, principled, uncommon, and quintessential.”
Recounting the memorable incident, the journalist said: “Three days before IBB toppled General Muhammadu Buhari’s military government in 1985, Giwa, Beko, IBB, and Oba Funsho Adeolu, who was a popular actor in The Village Headmaster television programme, visited the hospital where I worked as one of the aides to the Medical Director. They came to see my boss on a routine visit, not for medical attention, as they were all friends with him.
“Giwa and Beko arrived almost at the same time. While I was attending to both of them outside my boss’s office, IBB arrived, and I found myself admiring his shoes. This was around 7:30 p.m.
“I turned to IBB, who was then the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), and said, ‘General, I like your shoes.’ IBB responded, ‘Your silk shirt is fine.’ As I thanked him for the compliment, Giwa interrupted, saying, ‘Folyboy, what kind of shoes is the General wearing?’ I replied, ‘Pure leather shoes.’
“At that point, Beko jokingly chastised Giwa for asking me about the type of shoes IBB was wearing. He said, ‘Do you think he knows the difference between Bata and other shoes?’ The three men burst into laughter. However, IBB asked them to leave me alone, saying I was his good friend.
“Following IBB’s intervention, Giwa decided to give me a tutorial on the type of shoes IBB was wearing. He said, ‘What the General is wearing, Folyboy, is skin shoes. This particular pair is made from crocodile skin. There are also shoes made from snakes, frogs, and lizards.’
“On hearing ‘lizard,’ I asked, ‘How many lizards would one have to kill to make enough material for shoes?’ Beko immediately responded, ‘I told you this boy only knows the Bata shoes he buys at the Bata shop in Ojota or those he buys at Oshodi. Any other shoes to him are Bata,’ Beko jokingly told Giwa.
“Shortly after, Oba Funsho Adeolu arrived. Watching Beko and Giwa teasing me, he turned to IBB and said, ‘They are his friends. Don’t mind them.’ IBB replied, ‘I know. He is also my friend, except that on two occasions he promised to visit me at my Flagstaff residence but didn’t show up.’
According to Atta, IBB again came to his rescue when Giwa asked about his boss’s whereabouts.
“‘Where is Ore?’ Giwa asked me.
‘He is in the hospital,’ I replied.
Beko then asked, ‘Doing what?’
I said, ‘Doing operation.’
“At this point, both Beko and Giwa laughed again. I quickly corrected myself, saying, ‘Okay, he is not doing an operation; he is performing surgery.’ IBB then said, ‘Young Folyboy, you have communicated, and they understand you. They know why they are laughing.’
“With the reassuring words from IBB, I told him I actually enjoyed the banter from Beko and Giwa.
“Three days later, IBB toppled General Buhari in a bloodless coup,” Atta concluded.
Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti (1940–2006) was a Nigerian medical doctor, human rights activist, and pro-democracy campaigner. He was a co-founder of the Campaign for Democracy (CD) and played a major role in opposing military rule in Nigeria, especially during the 1980s and 1990s.
Beko was also the younger brother of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and was known for his strong advocacy for civil liberties, good governance, and social justice.
He died on February 10, 2006, at the age of 65 after a brief illness in Lagos, Nigeria. Reports at the time indicated he had been battling a serious health condition before his death.
He is remembered for his strong commitment to human rights advocacy and his fearless opposition to oppression in Nigeria, particularly during the years of military rule.
He co-founded the Campaign for Democracy, a group that played a major role in the struggle to restore democratic governance in the country, especially during the political crisis that followed the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
Throughout his life, he was repeatedly arrested and detained because of his outspoken criticism of military governments and his demands for justice, accountability, and respect for citizens’ rights.
As a medical doctor, he combined his professional career with social activism, promoting public health while also fighting for fairness and equality in society.
Beko Ransome-Kuti also left a lasting legacy in promoting civil liberties, including freedom of speech, the rule of law, and responsible governance. His courage, consistency, and sacrifice made him a symbol of resistance and an inspiration to many Nigerian activists and pro-democracy advocates.
